nuclear fuel cycle: a rosy future · light water reactor . spent fuel . high-level radioactive...

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: A Rosy Future

Failed Fast Breeder Reactor

• Almost US$30 Billion Spent from 1967 to Today

• Major Accident in 1995 and the Project Put on Hold

• Development Target Delayed for 70 Years from 1980s to 2050s.

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Final Disposal in Doubt

• Gov’t Promised find the place by 2028

• But … Earthquake in Kobe in 1995 & East Japan 2011 Volcanos & Underground Water Everywhere

• Where to Dispose the Nuclear Waste?

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Unable to dispose

Plutonium, More Plutonium

• Spent Fuel Already Re-processed in UK & France

• Now Japan Has 31 Tons of Plutonium

• FBR to Burn Plutonium Will Not Be Available

• What to Do with Plutonium?

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Unable to dispose

Unable to Use 31 tons

Overflowing Spent Fuel

• 1000 Tons of Spent Fuel Every Year

• Space Available for 6000 Tons of Spent Fuel Only

• Building a New Facility for 5000 Tons

• Will All the Reactors Stop after 11 Years?

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Unable to dispose

Overflowing

Unable to Use 31 tons

Another US$30 Billions Wasted

• Re-processing Plant Has Been Built with Another US$30 Billions

• Accident-prone Re-processing Plant Not Ready for Operation 7 Years After the Completion

• If It Runs, It will Produce 5 Tons of Plutonium Every Year, then, What to Do with More Plutonium

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing Plant not working

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Unable to dispose

Overflowing

Unable to Use 31 tons

Safety Compromised

• On March 11, a Major Accident Hit Fukushima Daiichi

• TEPCO & Gov’t Hid the Information

• TEPCO & Gov’t Hid the Meltdown

• TEPCO Had Hidden a Critical Accident for 29 Years and Hid Many More

Light Water Reactor Spent Fuel

High-level Radioactive

Nuclear Waste

Plutonium Fast Breeder Reactor

Plutonium

Reprocessing Plant not working

Uranium

Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Problems!

Un-developable

Unable to dispose

Overflowing

Unable to Use 31 tons

Safety Questioned!!

• Regional Monopoly • Captive Grid • Guaranteed Price

9 Power Companies

DPJ LDP

Media Universities

METI

Union Votes and Union Money

Political Contribution

R&D and Jobs for Graduates Ads & CM Fees

Jobs After Retirement Offered

The Corrupted “Nuclear Village”

Inspection Agencies

Old Engineers Dumped

Nuclear Plant Manufacturers

METI the Promoter & Regulator

• METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry Promotes Nuclear Industry

• NISA, the Nuclear Regulator, Is Placed Under METI

• JENS, the Nuclear Inspector, Is Placed Under METI

• JENS Hires Engineers from Power Companies and Nuclear Plant Manufacturers

Budget Issues

METI Ministry of Education Nuclear Waste Related US$62 Million 4% US$82 Million 4%

Nuclear Accident Related US$58 Million 4% NONE 0%

Other US$1.4 Billion 92% US$2.2 Billion 96%

TOTAL US$1.5 Billion US$2.3 Billion

Even After the Fukushima Accident, Nuclear Budget is Wasted

Guaranteed Electricity Price

Profit (3% of Fixed Asset)

All the Cost

Regional Monopoly

Grid

Power Generation

Regional Monopoly & Captive Grid

Consumers are not allowed to choose the Power company. New Renewables are easily denied the access to the Grid.

Nuclear Fade-out in Japan No New Reactors and 40-year Life for the Existing Reactors

Path to the Future